Package for frangible articles



Jan. 11, 1966 G. COBY PACKING FOR FRANGIBLE ARTICLES Filed Sept. 23,1963 4 7 a 6 x 4 2 0 6 8 2 0 8 6 w M 4 2 m6 4 F a H W 4/070 M10 4 2 7 48 M Q, U 0 8 8 m M 0 Z Arrrls,

Unite States Patent Ofiice 3,228,518 Patented Jan. 11, 1966 3,228,518PAtIKAGE FUR FRANGIBLE ARTICLES George Copy, Attieboro, Mass, assignorto Cohy Glass Products Co, lino, Woonsocket, ELL, a corporation of Rhodeisland Filed Sept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,746 3 Claims. (til. 205-4519)The present invention relates to a package for frangible articles. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a box for the packagingof fragile articles such as Christmas three ornaments, the ornamentsbeing maintained in the box in suspended and fixed position, so as to beprevented from movement during shipping and handling thereof, whereinbreakage of the ornaments is prevented.

The packaging of frangible articles, such as Christmas tree ornaments,has normally been accomplished by constructing a box with dividers orpartitions that define a plurality of individual pockets. The ornamentsas placed in the pockets were separated from adjacent ornaments by thepartitions that defined the pockets. However, there was no considerationgiven to the movement of the ornaments within the pockets duringhandling and shipping of the boxes, and it has been found that in thehandling and/or shipping of these prior known packages, the ornamentshad a tendency to move or rotate within the compartments, the movementproducing a scuff mark on the surface of the ornament which detractedconsiderably from the appearance thereof. Furthermore, since the divideror partitions of the prior packages were relatively flimsy inconstruction a sufficient cushioning effect was not provided, whichresulted in the breaking of many ornaments during shipping or handlingof the packages.

The present invention represents an innovation in the field of ornamentpackaging and not only provides a package that is designed to retainornaments therein in fixed relation so as to prevent scuffing andbreakage thereof, but further provides a package that is adapted todisplay the ornaments therein in such a manner as to most favorablybring out the ornamental aspects thereof. For this purpose, the packageembodied in the present invention is formed with a base section, a coversection and an intermediate section that is disposed within the basesection. The intermediate section includes a horizontal panel that isformed with a plurality of spaced openings that are defined by pivotallymounted flaps, the flaps being responsive to movement of an ornamentthereagainst to pivot downwardly to form an opening for receiving anornament therein, Each of the openings is shaped and proportioned forfrictionaliy receiving an ornament therein so that the ornament ismaintained in relatively tight fitting but exposed relation within theopening. The horizontally disposed panel of the intermediate section inwhich the openings are formed, is spaced from the bottom wall of thebase section a sufiicient distance to enable the ornaments to besuspended from the base section bottom wall so as to effectively mountthe ornaments in cushioned relation. The intermediate section and theornaments fixed therein are prevented from movement with respect to thecover and base sections by the use of a plurality of tabs that areformed integral with the intermediate section and extend upwardly withrespect to the panel thereof. The tabs are coextensive with the top edgeof the base section and are adapted to engage the underside of the topwall of the cover section. The tabs thus prevent movement of theintermediate section in a direction toward the cover section and therebycooperate to locate the intermediate section in fixed relation betweenthe base and cover sections. The horizontal panel is thus locatedbetween the bottom wall of the base section and the top wall of thecover section and retains the ornaments therein in suspended relation soas to provide a cushioning effect therefor. Furthermore, by theelimination of the usual partition associated with Christmas treeornaments, each of the ornaments is individually located in spacedrelation with respect to adjacent ornaments, the complete packagepresenting an attractive and interesting ornamental display.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apackage for frangible articles that locates the articles in separated,suspended position for the protection thereof during shipping andhandling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package forChristmas tree ornaments which includes an intermediate section that isformed with a plurality of openings for receiving ornaments therein infrictional relation for the ornamental display thereof.

Still another object is to provide a package for ornaments that includesa base section. a cover section and an intermediate section, theintermediate section including a panel that is suspended between thebase and cover sections and is formed with spaced openings for receivingornaments therein in frictional relation.

Another object is to provide a box for use in the packaging of frangiblearticles that includes an intermediate section that is spaced from thetop wall of the box top section and from the bottom wall of the boxbottom sec tion, the spacing of the intermediate section beingaccomplished by the use of upwardly extending tabs and downwardlyextending walls.

Still another object is to provide an intermediate section for use inthe packaging of frangible articles in a box, the intermediate sectionbeing formed with a plurality of upwardly extending tabs that areadapted to locate the intermediate section in fixed position withrespect to a cover section of the box.

Another object is to provide a box for the packaging of frangibleornaments that includes an intermediate section formed with a pluralityof openings, the openings being defined by pivotally mounted flaps thatare responsive to the movement of the ornaments thereagainst toaccommodate the ornaments and to move downwardly for location adjacentthe bottom wall of the bottom section of the box so as to substantiallysuspend the ornaments within the openings.

Still another object is to provide an intermediate section that isformed with a horizontal panel that is provided with means forpreventing the collapsing of the panel when the ornaments are located inopenings formed therein.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the package embodied in thepresent invention showing the relative positions of the component partsof the package:

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the intermediatesection of the package embodied herein showing the scoring of theintermediate section panel for defining flaps pivotally joined thereto;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing theopenings defined by the pivoted flaps and further illustrating thelocation of the flaps when the ornaments are disposed therein; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIG. 1, the box orpackage embodied in the present invention is generally indicated at 16and includes a bottom or base section generally indicated at 12, a topor cover section generally indicated at 14, and an intermediate sectionor insert generally indicated at 16. The sections 12, 14 and 16 of thepackage are preferably formed of cardboard material and are cut fromblank form and set up in the manner, as illustrated, by automaticmachinery.

As shown in FIG. 1, the base section 12 is formed with a bottom wall 18to which are joined upstanding side walls 20 and 22 and end walls 24 and26. The side walls 20, 22 and end walls 24 and 26 are generally verticalwith respect to the normal position of the box and are perpendicular tothe horizontally disposed bottom wall 18. The cover section 14 isadapted to be interfitted with the base section 12 and has aconfiguration generally corresponding thereto. The cover section 14includes a top wall 28 that is provided with a transparent window 30 forviewing the interior of the package 10. Joined to the top wall 28 anddepending therefrom are side walls 32, 34, and end walls 36, 33. Thevertical dimension of the side and end walls of the cover section 14 aregenerally similar to the corresponding walls of the bottom section 12,whereby the cover section 14 is adapted to envelop the bottom section 12when the sections are located in interfitting relation.

Located within the base section 12 is the intermediate section 16, whichas seen in FIG. 1, includes a horizontally extending panel 40 to whichare joined downwardly extending side walls 42 and 44 and end Walls 46,48. The side walls 42, 44 and the end walls 46, 48 of the intermediatesection 16 are adapted to engage the bottom wall 18 of the bottomsection 12 and are located in parallel engaging relation with thecorresponding side and end walls of the bottom section. The side and endwalls of the intermediate section 16 are somewhat less in verticaldimension than the height of the corresponding side and end walls of thebase section 12. The panel 40 is thus located in horizontal relation ata level between the top and bottom edges of the base section and inspaced parallel relation with respect to the bottom wall 18 of the basesection 12.

In order to maintain the intermediate section 16 in fixed relation withrespect to the cover section 14 when the base and cover sections are inassembled relation, a plurality of tabs 50 are provided and are formedas part of the side or end walls of the intermediate section. As shownin FIG. 1, the tabs 50 are cut out from the side walls 42 and 44 and arebent upwardly with respect to the panel 46 so as to be perpendicularlydisposed with respect thereto. If the package or box 10 were formed in arectangular configuration so that the end Walls were longer than theside walls, the tabs 56 would be cut out from the longer of the walls soas not to remove too much material from the shorter walls. Thus, thelonger of the downwardly depending walls would have sufficient materialto support the panel 40. It is understood that if the tabs were removedfrom the shorter of the walls, the remaining portions of these shorterwalls would not be sufiicient to properly support the panel 4t) abovethe bottom wall 18. As shown in FIG. 1, the dimensions of the side andend walls of the intermediate section 16 are substantially equal.Therefore, in the box as illustrated, it is not material from which ofthe downwardly depending walls the tabs 50 are cut.

Since the tabs 50 are designed to engage the under surface of the topwall 28 but still permit the cover section to completely envelope thebase section, the tabs terminate substantially at the uppermost edges ofthe adjacent side walls of the base section 24. Thus as seen in FIG. 4,the upper edges of the tabs 50 are generally coextensive with respect tothe upper edges of the adjacent side walls. Accordingly, when the coversection 14 is placed in enveloping relation on the base section 12, theuppermost edges of the tabs 50 will engage the undersurface of the topwall 28. The intermediate section 16 will thereby be limited withrespect to upper movement thereof, and since the downwardly dependingside walls 42, 44 and end walls 46, 4-8 engage the bottom wall 18 of thebase section 12, the intermediate section 14 will be disposed in fixedrelation with respect to the base and cover sections. The panel 40 ofthe intermediate section 16 will thus be located in relatively fixedspaced relation with respect to the bottom wall 18 and top wall 28.

In order to locate the ornaments to be packaged in the box 10 is fixedrelation, a plurality of openings are formed in the panel 40. Theopenings are located in spaced relation with respect to each other andare formed by cutting and scoring the panel 40 as will be described.Although only nine openings are shown formed in the panel 49, more orless may be formed therein as required by the configuration of the boxsections. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, one of the openings as formedin the panel 40 is illustrated and will be described. It is understoodthat the other openings for receiving the ornaments therein aresimilarly formed. In order to form an opening in the panel 40, aplurality of cuts indicated at 52, 54, 56 and 58 are cut into the panel.Score lines indicated at 66, 62, 64 and 66 are formed in alternaterelation with respect to the cuts 52, 54, 56 and 58 and define anoctagon-shaped opening therewith. Perpendicularly extending cuts 68 and70 intersect the cuts 52, 54, 56 and 58 to define flaps 72, 74, 76 and78. Flap 72 hinges along the score line 66, while the correspondingflaps 74, 76 and 78 hinge along their respective score lines 62, 64 and66. It is understood that the flaps are downwardly yieldable as anornament indicated at 81) is pushed down through the opening defined bythe flaps, the flaps thereby forming resilient frictional members forengagement with the surface of the ornament.

Since the ornaments 80 are fragile and subject to easy breakage, it isdesirable to insert the ornaments in position within the openingsdefined by the flaps without the fiaps exerting resistance to theinsertion thereof. Accordingly, in order to reduce the resistance of theflaps to the entry of the ornaments 80 into the openings, score lines62, 66 of the flaps 74, 78, respectively are scored more deeply than thelines 60, 64 of the flaps 72, 76 to define weak connections. Thus, asthe ornaments 80 are inserted into the openings defined by the flaps,the flaps 74, 73 which are relatively loose will readily yield to aslight pressure, thereby providing for easy entry of the ornament intothe opening. However, since the flaps 72, 76 are relatively firm andpresent some resistance to the entry of the ornament, sufficientfriction is provided thereby so as to frictionally engage the ornamentwhen it is inserted into the opening. The configuration of the opening,that is, the octagon shape thereof, further lends itself to frictionallyholding the spherical ornament 813 in position. Thus the ornament, whenlocated within the octagon shaped opening, is frictionally held by thesides of the opening and is further engaged by the flaps 72 and 76.

The relatively firm flaps 72 and 76 have an additional function sincethey are normally moved to a position whereby the lowermost edge thereofis located closely adjacent the bottom wall 18 of the base section 12.This is particularly important for the centermost openings since theportions of the panel 40 surrounding these openings is relativelyunsupported. Thus, the weight of the ornaments within the openingslocated in the central portion of the panel has a tendency to cause thecenter part of the panel 40 to bow inwardly. By locating the flaps inthe downwardly projecting position thereof as seen in FIG. 4, the loweredge of the relatively firm flaps 72 and 76, in particular, will tend toengage the upper surface of the bottom Wall 18 and thus locate the panel40 in the spaced position thereof with respect to the bottom Wall 18.The ornaments 80 are thus suspended Within the openings defined by theflaps and are prevented from striking the bottom wall 18. If desired,when an ornament is moved to its inserted position thereof, the neckindicated at 82 may be located closely adjacent the bottom wall 18 sothat a hook secured to the neck will tend to strike the bottom wall ifthe panel 40 is pushed inwardly. This will serve to further protect thefrangible surface of the ornament.

When the ornaments 80 are mounted in the openings defined by the flapsand the package is fully assembled with the cover section 14 envelopingthe base section 12, the ornaments 80 are suspended between the coverand base sections. end walls of the intermediate section 16 to properlyposition the panel 40 so as to locate the ornaments 80 in theirsuspended position. The cooperating tabs and downwardly projecting sideand end walls of the interme-, diate section 16, as indicated, retainthe panel 40 in relatively fixed position. The ornaments 80 are thusretained in substantially a fixed position, and sliding of the ornamentsin and out of the openings defined by the flaps is substantiallyprevented. The upstanding tabs 50 prevent the panel 40 from rising, andthe downwardly projecting side and end Walls and the lower ends of theflaps 72 and 76 prevent the panel 40 from falling inward-,

ly. The firm flaps 72 and 76 further cooperate with the edges of theopenings to frictionally retain the ornaments in position. Since thereare no partitions separating the ornaments 80 in the packaged positionthereof, a unique display is presented that is both ornamental andartistic in appearance. Thus, the box embodied in the present inventionnot only defines a package that provides for the cushioning of theornaments located therein, but further provides for an unusualornamental array that lends to the commercial appeal of the ornaments.As hereinabove described, it is significant to note that two of theflaps 72 and 76 are relatively firm, while the flaps 74, 78 arerelatively loose so that the ornaments may be easily inserted inposition in the opening defined by the flaps.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a package for frangible ornaments, a base section, a cover sectioninterfitted on said base section in enveloping relation therewith, anintermediate section located in said base section for receiving saidornaments therein and including a panel to which are joined a pair ofparallel side walls and a pair of parallel end Walls, said pairs ofparallel walls depending from said panel for engagement with said basesection, wherein said panel is elevated from said base section and isspaced from said cover section, one opposing pair of depending parallelwalls of said intermediate section having portions struck out adjacentto the corners thereof to define pairs of opposing tabs, said tabs beingbent upwardly with respect to the walls from which they are struck outand being located in parallel relation therewith, said tabs beinglocated at right angles to said panel and the uppermost edges of saidtabs being generally coincident with the uppermost edges of said basesection and engaging The tabs 50 cooperate with the side and theunderside of said cover section, wherein said intermediate section isretained in fixed relation within said base section, the remainingportions of the depending Walls from which the tabs are struck outdefining the major portion of said struck-out walls, said remainingportions engaging the bottom wall of said base section to preventdeflection of said panel when said panel contains said ornamentstherein, and a plurality of openings formed in said intermediate sectionreceiving said ornaments in frictional engagement therein.

2. In a package for frangible articles, a base section, a cover sectioninterfitted on said base section, an intermediate section located insaid base section and including a horizontal panel to which a pluralityof depending walls are joined that engage said base section, a pluralityof openings being formed in said panel, receiving said articles infrictional engagement therewith, and a plurality of tabs joined to apair of opposing depending walls of said intermediate section andprojecting upwardly with respect thereto, said tabs being struck outfrom said pair of the depending walls and defining substantially lessthan the full length of the walls from which they are struck out,wherein the remaining portions of the walls from which the tabs arestruck out engage the base section to prevent deflection of said panelwhen said articles are contained therein, said tabs being generallycoincident with the upper edges of said base section and engaging saidcover section, wherein said intermediate section is positively locatedbetween said base and cover sections.

3. In a package for frangible articles, a base section, a cover sectioninterfitted on said base section, an intermediate section located insaid base section and including a horizontal panel to which a pluralityof depending Walls are joined that engage said base section, a pluralityof openings being formed in said panel receiving said articles therein,and a plurality of tabs joined to a pair of said depending walls of saidintermediate section and projecting upwardly with respect thereto, saidtabs being located at the corners of said intermediate section and beinggenerally coincident with the upper edges of said base section andengaging the underside of said cover section, wherein said intermediatesection is positively located between said base and cover sections, saidtabs being struck out of the depending walls of said intermediatesection that are located in opposed and parallel relation, the remainingportions of the depending walls from which said tabs are struck outdefining the major portion of the struck-out walls, said remainingportions engaging the base section to prevent deflection of said panelwhen said ornaments are contained therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,592 10/1940 Addis 20645 .19 520,341 5/ 1894 Sherman 20645 .19 1,059,359 4/ 1913Hahn 22942 1,282,656 10/1918 Tiene 229--39 1,352,759 8/ 1920 Markert22916 1,748,256 2/ 1930 Tinsley 20645 1,812,311 6/1931 Wolf 20645.191,887,270 11/1932 Krieg 20645.19 1,985,670 12/ 1934 Sykes. 2,311,934 2/1943 Dieter 20645.19 2,593,430 4/ 1952 Frankenstein 20645.19 2,663,41912/1953 Bolding 20645.19 3,115,247 12/ 1963 Hauser 206-65 THERON E.CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner.

1. IN A PACKAGE FOR FRANGIBLE ORNAMENTS, A BASE SECTION, A COVER SECTIONINTERFITTED ON SAID BASE SECTION IN ENVELOPING RELATION THEREWITH, ANINTERMEDIATE SECTION LOCATED IN SAID BASE SECTION FOR RECEIVING SAIDORNAMENTS THEREIN AND INCLUDING A PANEL TO WHICH ARE JOINED A PAIR OFPARALLEL SIDE WALLS AND A PAIR OF PARALLEL END WALLS, SAID PAIRS OFPARALLEL WALLS DEPENDING FROM SAID PANEL FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BASESECTION, WHEREIN SAID PANEL IS ELEVATED FROM SAID BASE SECTION AND ISSPACED FROM SAID COVER SECTION, ONE OPPOSING PAIR OF DEPENDING PARALLELWALLS OF SAID INTERMEDIATE SECTION HAVING PORTIONS STRUCK OUT ADJACENTTO THE CORNERS THEREOF TO DEFINE PAIRS OF OPPOSING TABS, SAID TABS BEINGBENT UPWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE WALLS FROM WHICH THEY ARE STRUCK OUTAND BEING LOCATED IN PARALLEL RELATION THEREWITH, SAID TABS BEINGLOCATED AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID PANEL AND THE UPPER-